Catheter movement control device and method

ABSTRACT

A catheter movement control device is provided which allows forward, extending movement of the catheter tube contained within a flexible package to the exterior thereof as required during insertion. The method of use includes moving the catheter tube through the control device to exit the catheter package where it is inserted into the urethra. If resistance is encountered during insertion a stop member firmly engages the catheter tube to prevent rearward movement of the catheter tube under normal urging.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/810,680 filed Mar. 19,2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein pertains to catheters and in particular to urethralcatheters which are packaged in a sterile environment for safe, easy andconvenient use as the catheter tube is manipulated through an enclosedcontrol device which remains within the package.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Urethral and other catheters have long been manufactured in disposable,sterile, transparent polymeric packages for convenience. As suchcatheters have applied lubricants it is often difficult to control theinsertion of the catheter tube which is formed from a lightweight,Inflexible, polymeric material, especially for those with relatively lowhand grip strength. Insertion techniques vary and the personnel involvedmust be aware that an obstruction encountered in, for example, theurethral tract must be recognized and precautionary steps taken.Otherwise, forcing the catheter tube into or through an obstruction maycause severe or fatal injury to the patient. Accordingly, the cathetertube must be manually inserted in increments to the desired depth forproper fluid drainage. However, a slight resistance during insertioncaused by a curve or narrowing in the urethral tract can be overcome ortransgressed by slight additional insertion force. It is desirable tominimize or eliminate manual touching of the catheter tube once it isextended from the sterile interior of the package.

Conventional intravenous tubes are exterior to the body and sometimesutilize rollers to clamp or restrict the flow of fluids therethrough.Such clamping devices are generally open and expand since intravenoustubing is not inserted into the body and contamination of the clamp isof little concern. Contamination of a catheter tube can easily causeinfections or the like to the patient and must be carefully avoided.

Thus, with the problems and difficulties associated with conventionalcatheters and catheter insertion techniques, the present invention wasconceived and one of its objectives is to provide a device forcontrolling the catheter tube movement during the insertion process.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a cathetercontrol device which includes a stop member in the form of a roller toprevent rearward catheter movement.

It is also an another objective of the present invention to provide acatheter movement control device which will allow relativelyinexperienced personnel or those with low grip strength to safely andconveniently insert a urethral catheter tube.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a methodfor controlling the movement and insertion of a catheter tube whichallows the tube to be freely extended through a control device and froma slippery package, yet which will prevent rearward movement of thecatheter tube, should a slight resistance during the extension processand insertion be realized.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description isset forth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing a cathetermovement control device which includes a generally closed housing with acatheter tube channel therein. A stop member is slidably positionedwithin the catheter housing proximate the tube channel. The interiorside housing walls define channel grooves in which the stop member axlesslide. The channel grooves are positioned so that the longitudinal axisof the catheter tube and the longitudinal axis of the stop member axlegrooves intersect at an angle of approximately 35°. The control deviceis contained within a sealed, sterile catheter package with the tip ofthe catheter tube passing through a fitting on the exterior of thepackage. A cap seals the extending tip and maintains it in a sterilecondition prior to use.

The method of use includes removing the cap and by manipulating thecatheter tube through the control device contained within the package,the catheter tube is extended therefrom into the urethra. Should aslight resistance be encountered during extension, as occurs when acurve in the urethral tract is encountered, the catheter tube resistsforward movement and additional manual force creates a rearward motionof the catheter tube. As the catheter tube initially moves in therearward direction, the stop member moves into tight, frictionalengagement with the catheter tube, and with additional forward force,the catheter tube transgresses such slight resistance caused by curvesor the like in the urethral tract. However, should excessive rearwardforce be applied to the catheter tube, it will overcome or bypass thestop member and allow the catheter tube to move rearwardly into thepackage to thus prevent injury to the patient, for example, when anobstruction (as opposed to a slight narrowing) in the urethral tractexists.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 demonstrates a conventional flexible catheter package containingthe control device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the catheter package of FIG. 1 with the catheter tubein a somewhat extended posture;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the catheter movement control deviceand other components as removed from the package;

FIG. 4 features another view of the catheter movement control device ofFIG. 3 in an enlarged side view;

FIG. 5 depicts the catheter control device as shown in FIG. 4 alonglines 5—5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 pictures the catheter control device as shown in FIGS. 4 but withthe top and fitting removed and with the stop member in initial contact;

FIG. 7 provides a side partial cross-sectional view of the device asshown in FIG. 6 generally along lines 7-7 but with the top thereon;

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view like that seen in FIG. 6 but with the stopmember engaging the catheter tube; and

FIG. 9 demonstrates a side partial cross-sectional view of the controldevice with the stop member fully engaging the catheter tube toterminate rearward catheter tube movement as shown in FIG. 8 generallyalong lines 9-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND OPERATION OF THEINVENTION

For a better understanding of the invention and its operation, turningnow to the drawings, FIG. 1 demonstrates preferred catheter movementcontrol device 10 contained within a conventional sterile, sealed,transparent polymeric urethral catheter package 11. Catheter tube 12within package 11 can be withdrawn therefrom through package opening 13which tightly encloses fitting 15. Cap 14 is shown exteriorly ofcatheter package 11 which is removed before urethral catheter tube 12 isextended from package 11 and inserted in normal catheterization.

In FIG. 2, catheter tube 12 is shown somewhat extended from catheterpackage 11 as manually manipulated during use. Catheter package 11 whichis a two sided envelope may become a receptacle for drained urinaryfluids or may be opened along its back end 30 and serve as a conduit forsuch drained fluids. As would be understood, catheter tube 12 isextended by exterior manual manipulation through control device 10without hand contact of catheter tube 12 which passes through fitting 15in opening 13, thus preserving the sterility of catheter tube 12 priorto urethral insertion.

As further shown in FIG. 3 fitting 15 is attached to preferred movementcontrol device 10 and may be integrally formed therewith. Fitting 15 issized to allow catheter tube 12 to slide therethrough. Fitting 15extends through package opening 13 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 andexterior fitting 16 slides over fitting 15 with catheter package 11positioned therebetween thereby sealing opening 13. Catheter tube 12passes through fitting 16 and tip 17 of catheter tube 12 is then coveredby cap 14 which is manually pressed onto sealing ring 19 for removal atthe time of use. Catheter tube 12 is then enclosed and remains in asafe, sanitary condition prior to use. For clarity an enlarged side andfront view of control device 10 is seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 with cathetertube 12 contained within fitting 15 and generally closed control device10.

As would be further understood, catheter tube 12 requires forwardmovement from package 11 through control device 10 for urethralinsertion. However, such insertion is often difficult due to physicalconsiderations, attitude and inexperience of-the particular personnelinvolved. As such, during the insertion procedure catheter tube 12 whichis pre-lubricated may tend to withdraw, or not sufficiently penetratethe urethral tract as needed. To minimize such difficulties, controldevice 10 as shown in FIGS. 6-9 includes stop member 20 in the form of aroller having teeth 21 for engaging and gripping catheter tube 12 asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As seen in FIG. 7, catheter tube 12 is beingextended through control device 10 and stop member 20 has moved in aforward (right to left) direction into contiguous engagement withcatheter tube 12 as occurs when extending catheter tube 12 from package11. In FIGS. 8 and 9, catheter tube 12 is being urged in a rearwarddirection (left to right) as may occur if urethral insertion terminatesas by meeting resistance, causing stop member 20 to grip and deflectcatheter tube 12 within catheter tube channel 25 of housing 24. Fromslight contact of stop member 20 and catheter tube 12 as shown in FIG.7, additional rearward movement of catheter tube 12 drives stop member20 rearwardly in a left to right direction to deflect and engagecatheter tube 12 more severely, thereby terminating such rearwardmovement of catheter tube 12 relative to housing 24 as seen in FIGS. 8and 9.

Also seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, stop member 20 includes axle 22 which iscontained within housing side grooves 23, 23′ of movement control devicehousing 24. Grooves 23, 23′ are somewhat larger than the diameter ofaxle 22, thereby providing excess movement to stop member 20 as it turnsand moves within housing 24. As further shown, due to the slanted natureof axle grooves 23, 23′, stop member 20 frictionally engages orintersects catheter tube 12 within catheter tube channel 25 at an angleof approximately 35°. Housing 24 may be formed of a rigid, polymeric orother suitable materials as is stop member 20. Teeth 21 on stop member20 help secure the grip as may be needed on a lubricated catheter tube.

Retaining roller 26 is mounted in housing side openings 28, 28′ as seenin FIGS. 6 and 8 to prevent stop member 20 from escaping housing 24 ascatheter 12 is urged in a rearward direction as demonstrated in FIG. 9.Stop member 20 thus moves rearwardly and stops when it contactsretaining roller 26, thus preventing stop member 20 from inadvertentlyexiting housing 24.

The preferred method of controlling the amount of movement of a catheterusing control device 10 as contained within package 11 seen in FIGS. 1and 2 includes the step of removing cap 14 from fitting 16 and manuallyurging catheter tube 12 forwardly through fitting 16. Next, catheter 12is initially inserted into the urethra of the individual. Thereafter,catheter tube 12 within package 11 is carefully manually urged fromoutside of package 11 through control device 10, also in a forwarddirection to extend catheter tube 12 from package 11 and deeper into theurethra. Slight resistance incurred during the insertion process maycause catheter tube 12 to terminate its forward movement. Strongresistance may cause catheter tube 12 to move in a rearward direction.When this occurs, control device 10 allows stop member 20 to engagecatheter tube 12 as seen in FIG. 9 thereby quickly terminating therearward movement of catheter tube 12. Further forward urging ofcatheter 12 will allow catheter tube 12 to move rearwardly, past stopmember 20, as in the case of a urethral blockage, thus preventing injuryto the patient as catheter tube 12 slides rearwardly while engaged.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatorypurposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of controlling the movement of a catheter having anextendable tube contained within a package with a control device havinga stop member comprising a roller which will slide forwardly andrearwardly, said stop member mounted to engage the catheter tube,comprising the steps of: a) urging the catheter tube through the controldevice in a forward direction to extend the catheter tube from thepackage; and b) engaging the catheter tube with the stop member bysliding the stop member within the control device to tightly engage thecatheter tube to thereby prevent the catheter tube from withdrawing intothe package.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereby urging the catheter tubein a forward direction comprises the step of disengaging the stop memberfrom the catheter tube.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereby engaging thecatheter tube further comprises the step of gripping the catheter tubewith the outer surface of the roller.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherebypreventing the catheter tube from withdrawing comprises the step ofdeflecting the surface of the catheter tube with the roller to grip thesame.
 5. A method of controlling the movement of a catheter having anextendable tube contained within a package with a control device havinga slidable stop member comprising a roller with radially extendingteeth, said control device mounted so said roller teeth contact thecatheter tube, comprising the steps of: a) urging the catheter tubethrough the control device in a forward direction to extend the cathetertube from the package; and b)sliding the roller within the controldevice, and c) engaging the catheter tube with the teeth of the rollerto thereby prevent the catheter tube from withdrawing into the package.6. The method of claim 5 whereby urging the catheter tube in a forwarddirection comprises the step of slidably disengaging the roller from thecatheter tube.
 7. A method of controlling the movement of a catheterhaving an extendable tube contained within a package with a controldevice having a stop member comprising a slidable roller with radiallyextending teeth, said control device mounted on the catheter tube,comprising the steps of: a) urging the catheter tube through the controldevice in a forward direction to extend the catheter tube from thepackage; b) sliding the roller within the control device; and c)engaging the catheter tube with the teeth of the stop member roller tothereby prevent the catheter tube from moving in a rearward direction.8. The method of claim 7 whereby urging the catheter tube in a forwarddirection comprises the step of disengaging the roller from the cathetertube.